Cheap Trick Takes Montclair to Budokan

Walking into the Cheap Trick concert this past Saturday was like stepping into a time warp. The concert was February 15th, 2014 at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, but it felt like we were walking into Cheap Trick’s Live at Budokan in 1978.

Upon arrival, the neon lights and checkerboard backdrop set the scene. From a distance the faces of 40 and 50 year old fans turned into those of teenagers as the band took the stage. An electricity surged through the crowd as electricity surged through the instruments and the crowd became more and more alive with each strum of the guitar.

The show began with a pop culture reference-infused intro to their song “Hello There,” setting the tone for what would prove to be an memorable evening. With each song, Cheap Trick took its audience on a journey through the wonderful world that was classic rock and roll. The audience (and staff) went crazy for hits like “I Want You to Want Me,” “Ain’t That a Shame,” and “Dream Police,” with bartenders throwing their fists in the air as patrons sat atop their bars, jamming to their favorite tunes.

The star of the show, however, was not one of the members of the band, but a little boy dressed in an oversized hat. Robin Zander pulled the audience member onstage to serenade the crowd with his rendition of the ever-popular “Surrender.” The crowd carried the boy offstage with a massive round of applause. Once offstage, Rick Nielsen pulled out his five neck guitar to close out the song. The band of course said goodnight to their fans with their signature “Goodnight.” And with the flick of a switch, the lights came back on and we were all transported back to 2014, with the magic of the journey we just went on remaining only in our hearts.

Setlist:
Hello There
Elo Kiddies
California Man
(The Move cover)
He’s a Whore
Ain’t That a Shame
(Fats Domino cover)
Come On, Come On
She’s Tight
Ballad of TV Violence
Lookin’ Out for Number One
I Know What I Want
Downed
Borderline
The Flame
I Want You to Want Me
Baby Loves to Rock
Sick Man of Europe
Dream Police